Manzoian directs Canfield's win over Campbell

The point guard was the key to the Cardinals’ offense in the 58-47 win.

By RYAN JONES

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

CANFIELD — Canfield High basketball coach John Cullen knows John Manzoian’s scoring line usually isn’t a good indication of the impact he’s had on a game.

Tuesday night’s Metro Athletic Conference contest against Campbell was no different. Manzoian managed only two points on four field goal attempts, but the Red Devils felt his presence all over the court in Canfield’s 58-47 victory.

Manzoian, a 5-foot-10 inch senior who’s called “bug” by teammates and friends, served as the Cardinals’ version of a one-man fastbreak.

Cullen said his team looks to push the ball in transition any time they can.

“It’s what we’ve done all season,” Cullen said. “John [Manzoian] does a great job of getting the ball to the right person at the right time.

“You want your point guard to be able to that for you every season, but it doesn’t always work out that way. We’re fortunate to have him leading our team.”

Manzoian had four of his 12 assists in the first quarter. He assisted on Mike Podolsky’s three-pointer from the right corner and found Matt Keating for a transition lay-up that gave the Cardinals an early 7-2 lead.

Canfield seemed determined to put the game away as the first quarter closed. Manzoian assisted on Adam Muth’s trey from the left wing, and Keating’s three from the right wing to push the lead to 15-6 heading into the second frame.

“It’s easy to play with someone like John,” Cullen said. “Our guys know if you run the floor hard or get open in our half court sets, you’ll get the ball with the chance to score.”

The Red Devils clawed to within 30-21 at intermission as Anthony Moses scored nine of his 13 points in the first half.

Campbell kept the momentum to start the second half and went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 30-29.

Cullen said his team’s defense and rebounding were keys during the first half of the third quarter.

“We struggled from the floor and didn’t score for the first five minutes of the half,” Cullen said. “But you’re going to have stretches like that.

“I thought our defense on Nate Hodge and ‘Cheecks’ Dawson [Campbell’s leading scorers] was pretty good,” Cullen said. “We held them to two points combined in the first half, and went to a 3-2 zone and did a good job on them during that stretch to start the third quarter.”

The Cardinals answered the Red Devils run with an 8-1 jaunt to close the third quarter, and opened the final frame with a 6-0 run to push the lead to 44-31 with 6:12 remaining.

Cullen said he thought this was a win that would build character for his team.

“We came out and hit them with a good blow,” he said. “Keating [who led Canfield with 15 points] really started to take over on offense in the first half, but Campbell made adjustments and took him away in the second half. They made a run and forced us to make adjustments to what they were doing.”

Brian Fox scored nine of his 13 points in the second half for Canfield. Manzoian added four steals and four rebounds to go with his 12 assists. Andrew Kuchmaner collected seven rebounds for the winners.

Campbell’s Moses took scoring honors with 13 while Jeraime Williams and Nate Hodge tallied eight markers each.